Brushing device

ABSTRACT

A PAIR OF ROUND CUPS ARE ADAPTED FOR ABUTMENT ON THEIR OPEN ENDS, AND HAVE APERTURES IN THEIR BOTTOMS THROUGH WHICH PLUGS EXTEND, THE LATTER CARRYING DISC-SHAPED BRUSHES ON THEIR INNER ENDS AND PROJECTING OUTWARDLY TO A POSITION WHERE THEY MAY BE CONTACTED BY TE PALMS OF THE HANDS OF THE USER TO PRESS THE BRUSH-CARRYING DISCS TOWARD EACH OTHER, THE ROUND CUPS BEING AT THE SAME TIME GRIPPED BY THE FINGERS OF THE USER AND PARTIALLY ROTATED IN REVERSE DIRECTIONS, THEREBY EFFECTIVELY BRUSHING AN ARTIFICIAL DENTURE WHICH IS POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID BRUSHES.

Feb. 23, 1971 T MER f 3,564,636

BRUSHING DEVICE Filed Jan. 6, 1969 INVENTOR ATTORNEY,

176666617X Z/mre 3,564,636 BRUSH-TIN G DEVICE Herbert J. Tomer, 5034 Wallace Lane, Murrysville, Pa. 15668 Filed Jan. 6, 1969, Ser. No. 789,239 int. Cl. A461; 7/08, 13/08 U.S. Cl. 160 4 Claims Manama... W

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to brushing devices and more particularly to brushing devices for artificial dentures, although not limited thereto.

It is, of course, well-known that artificial dentures are both annoying and difficult to clean; and it is among the objects of the present invention to provide a device which very effectively performs this function with ease and but a minimum of effort.

Another object is the provision of a device possessing the foregoing characteristics which is attractive in appearance, simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and durable in service.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, and from the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, of which there is but a single sheet:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view which illustrates the components of the device and their relative positions with respect to each other;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view illustrating the device with its elements in operative relationship and in the hands of the user;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail view illustrating the bristle of the opposed brushes and the manner in which they contact an artificial denture which is disposed therebetween.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numerals 2 and 3 designate a pair of cup-shaped containers which are shown as being round in cross-section and substantially identical with the exception of their edges 2a and 3a respectively being off-set to provide an interfitting relationship while permitting relative rotation with respect to each other.

In the bottom of each of the cup-shaped containers 2 and 3 there is a centrally disposed aperture 5 which receives a slidable plug 7 of substantially the same, but slightly smaller, cross-section.

The aperture 5 and relatively slidable plugs 7 are shown as being square in cross-section, whereby they prevent relative rotation. However, other means for preventing their relative rotation may be utilized, such as splines, etc.

States Patent 0 3,564,636 Patented Feb. 23, 1971 Secured to the inner end of each of the slidable plugs 7 is a round disc 10 carrying on its outer side an array of brush bristles 12.

It will be understood that all of the aforementioned elements of the device of the invention may be made of any one, or combination, of a large variety of materials including plastics, etc. However, brush bristles 12 of nylon have been found to be particularly effective.

The device is utilized by holding one cup-shaped container 2 or 3 in up-ended position and placing the artificial denture or other object to be cleaned on the brush bristles 12 on the round disc 10 therein; placing the other cupshaped container on the first mentioned one and then relatively rotating the cup-shaped containers with the fingers of both hands in contact therewith. At the same time, the brush bristles 12 on the round disc 10 are forced against the adjacent sides of the artificial denture by applying the palms of the hand against the outer ends of the slidable plugs 7.

Liquid and/or solid cleaning material deposited on the brush bristles 12 will be found most effective due in large part to the aforementioned movements of the hands of the user.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as novel and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device for brushing artificial dentures comprising, in combination,

a pair of substantially round cup-shaped containers;

said cup-shaped containers being adapted for registration on their open ends and capable of at least partial relative rotation while in contact;

each of said cup-shaped containers having a centrally disposed out-of-round aperture in the bottom thereof;

a plug adapted for slidable disposition in, and extension from, the central aperture in each of said cup-shaped containers but incapable of relative rotation with respect thereto;

a disc having one side of its central portion secured to one end of each of said plugs;

an array of brush bristles secured to the other side of each of said discs;

the periphery of each of said discs conforming generally in shape to, but slightly smaller diametrically than, the interior of one of said cup-shaped containers.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said substantially round cup-shaped containers are of substantially the same size and shape.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said plugs and the apertures in the bottoms of said cup-shaped containers are square in cross-section.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the discs are of substantially the same size and shape.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,382,615 6/1921 Bate 15210 1,683,458 9/1928 Hall 15212, 1,845,315 2/1932 MCllilG 15160 2,236,462 3/1941 Binkley 1521 3,133,305 5/1964 Rosenstock 15160X PETER FELDMAN, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 15167; 40l.10 

